With over 3 million users/participants, the couch surfing project and its founder Casey Fenton demonstrated that a simple idea that benefits every traveler can earn you millions.

If you are familiar with the website, you might wonder, “isn’t CouchSurfing not-for-profit?” Not anymore. As of August 2011, Couch Surfing accepted $7.6 million investment from Benchmark Capital. Fenton cited that CouchSurfing’s application of the non-profit organization was never granted by the US government, which led him to seek for other options.

Sleep on couch, save money! (and earn me money)

That aside, it is a great example of entrepreneurship, where the company was able to earn investments just by a simple growing concept. Even better, Fenton assumed no risk and is using other people’s money to get rich! Paid features are now added to the website and are projected to generate significant revenue for the company. The innovation also triggered many other similar ideas being established in other industries, such as gift-giving and car-sharing websites.